Manufacture of frames

ABSTRACT

A frame especially suitable for panes of glass is a hollow channel which is reinforced, either by a rib projecting from the channel web a distance less than half of the height of the channel walls or by a plurality of spaced transverse partitions connecting the sidewalls and forming cavities. Bores through the partitions provided an interior passage for a continuous reinforcing strip. Bores through the perimetrically inner sidewall receive clamps or setscrews adjustable from the cavity and engageable with the glass pane. A cover having resilient strips snap-engageable in the cavities closes the hollow channel. The frame may be made of straight channel sections connected at abutting mitered corners by a bent or curved hollow member spanning the corner joint. Hardened adhesive embeds the connecting member in the channel.

United States Patent [191 Kirsch June 28, 1974 1 MANUFACTURE OF FRAMES[76] Inventor: Bernhard Kirsch, Biewere Str. 193,

55 Trier-Biewer, Germany [22] Filed: July 3, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:268,880

[52] US. Cl 52/475, 52/494, 52/656, 52/758 H, 40/156 [51] Int. Cl. G09fl/l2 [58] Field of Search 52/656, 475, 476, 498, 52/501, 627, 731, 227;40/156; 287/189.36 H

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 984,384 2/1911 McElaney etal 52/501 X 2,581,843 1/1952 Edwards 40/156 X 2,599,811 6/1952 Clerk52/585 X 3,070,914 1/1963 Henderson et a1 40/156 3,189,136 6/1965Stickney 287/l89.36 H 3,242,627 3/1966 3,253,847 5/1966 3,321,223 5/19673,491,485 1/1970 3,698,150 10/1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1,188,837 4/1970 Great Britain 52/475 Primary Eraminer-Henry C.Sutherland Assistant Etaminer-Carl D. Friedman Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Robert W. Beach; Ms. R. M. Van Winkle 1 ABSTRACT A frame especiallysuitable for panes of glass is a hollow channel which is reinforced,either by a rib projecting from the channel web a distance less thanhalf of the height of the channel walls or by a plurality of spacedtransverse partitions connecting the sidewalls and forming cavities.Bores through the partitions provided an interior passage for acontinuous reinforcing strip. Bores through the perimetrically innersidewall receive clamps or setscrews adjustable from the cavity andengageable with the glass pane. A cover having resilient stripssnap-engageable in the cavities closes the hollow channel. The frame maybe made of straight channel sections connected at abutting miteredcorners by a bent or curved hollow member spanning the corner joint.Hardened adhesive embeds the connecting member in the channel.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTESJUNZBISH SHEET 1 BF 3 1 MANUFACTUREOF FRAMES The present invention'relates to the manufacture of framesparticularly formed from plastics material or metal, consisting of amain moulding and a strip for application thereto and removabletherefrom.

It is known to manufacture frames which can be used for differentpurposes for example as picture frames, frames for furniture, windows,doors or the like from one piece or to build them up from individualsections, the latter preferably being interconnected at the corners ofthe frame. It is also known to make such frames of a hollow formation.The use of hollow members as closed frames or frame sections has theadvantage that the frame is lighter and certain constructional partswhich should not be visible externally can be arranged within thecavity.

As experience has shown, moreover, with one-piece continuous frames orone-piece frame sections, it is very difficult to insert constructionalparts into the cavity, such as reinforcements or the like, since accessinto the cavity is only possible with great difficulty, if at all, evenif the frame sections are relatively long.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a frame of theaforementioned type so that reinforcing members or operating parts canbe mounted in simple manner in the interior of the frame.

The invention consists in a frame consisting of a main moulding having asubstantially trough-shaped crosssection, the open mouth of saidmoulding being closed by a cover strip securable thereto and detachabletherefrom. The said parts of the frame are advantageously made frommetal or a plastic material.

Advantageously a central bar may be arranged in the moulding parallel tothe trough walls, the height of which bar is less than half the heightof said walls.

If desired, a plurality of partitions or intermediate bars may bearranged in the trough cavity in spaced relationship, connecting thesides of the trough walls. These partitions may be provided withperforations in the longitudinal direction of the walls and recessestransverse to the longitudinal direction up to the inside faces of thewalls.

In another embodiment, a complete frame is made up of individual framesections, a connecting member being inserted in the cavities of twoangularly abutting sections so that it projects into the adjacent endsthereof, gaps between the inner wall of the frame sections and theconnecting member being filled with a hardenable substance. In anotherembodiment, a continuous reinforcing'band made of metal, glass fibres orthe like is positioned in the frame cavity.

According to yet a further embodiment, a clamping strip is arrangedabout the frame sections assembled into a complete frame which can forma unit, with the cover strip fonning a seal therefore.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings showing some preferredembodiments thereof by way of example, and in which:

FIG. I shows a frame section having a central bar extending parallel tothe trough side walls,

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a closed frame,

FIG. 3 shows a frame section of the frame according to FIG. 2 inperspective view with the cover strip removed,

FIG. 4 shows a closed frame in plan view having a continuous clampingstrip and seal,

FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through a glazed frame,

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a comer connection for a frame,

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a corner connection, also in planview, and

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of comerconnection.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 1 a moulding 1 forming theperimetric member of the frame is preferably of channel shape havingsidewalls 3 on each side of the channel web and includes, a central baror rib 9 is from the web of the moulding 1 parallel to the walls 3. Theheight of bar is less than half the height of the walls. The arrangementof such a central bar considerably contributes to the stability andrigidity of the frame. As will also be apparent from FIG. 1 theinterconnecting portion between each wall 3 and central bar 9 may berounded. Also the wall 3, as well as the central bar 9, may taperupwardly. Moreover, the outer edge between web or base of the mainmoulding and at least one side wall 3 may be bevelled as shown at 14.

FIG. 2 shows a main frame moulding with the cover strip removed, theframe consisting either of a unitary closed perimetrical member or madeup from individual sections.

A conventional continuous glass holding rebate 15 is provided, on theinside of the frame, which prevents a pane of glass insertedinto theframe from dropping out.

The main moulding 1 has inner cavities 16 which are separated from oneanother by partitions or walls 17. These cavities areopen on the sideopposite the frame web, which web carries the glass holding rebate. Thesize of the cavities and the spacing from cavity to cavity and thus thethickness of the partitions or walls 17 can be selected as desired foradaptation to particular requirements.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, there is provided a cavity 18 which extendsaround the corners 19 of the frame so that an angular cornerreinforcement 20 may be inserted thereinto from above.

Brackets 21 or the like are secured to the partitions which bracketsproject inwardly from the frame and are at a distance from the glassholding rebate 15. One side or end of the brackets 21 may be held to theframe by means of screws or the like. To this end, a blind groove havingone end 22 opening through the perimetrically inner sidewall of theframe can be provided in the appropriate partitions to receive thebrackets and their fastening means. In so doing, a good hold is given tothe bracket. The brackets consist advantageously of strong resilientmaterial such as steel bars or the like. The brackets thus hold the paneof glass positioned against the glass holding rebates if the cavities 16are not closed.

In order to be able to hold panes of glass of difierent thickness in theframe, bores 23 opening through the perimetrically inner wall of theframe can be provided in the partitions 17, in which pegs 24, shown inphantom in FIG. 3, can be inserted which carry out the same function asthe brackets 21.

The wall portion between the cavities 16 and the frame opening isadvantageously perforated so that an adjusting setscrew 25 may projectinto the inside area of the frame and can be rotated against the sideedge of the window pane in order thus to align the latter with the frameedge..The heads of the adjusting screws are in the cavity 16 and are,therefore, not visible externally.

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame may be covered with a cover strip 2 whichhas gripping members 26 on the underside which project into the cavities16 and form a press fit with the cavity walls. Advantageously, thepartitions 17, also as shown in F IG. 3, have bores 27 extending throughthem to receive fittings or the like in the longitudinal direction ofthe arm of the frame.

As is'shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 a connecting member 34 may be located in thecavity between two angularly abutting sections 31 and 32, said memberprojecting into the adjacent ends of the two frame sections; as shown inthe HO. 6, the member 34 may be designed as a right angle piece or,according to FIG. 7, as an easily bent curved member. This connectingmember 34 has external protuberances 35 or indentations 36. it may bemade hollow. Advantageously, it consists of metal, plastics or anotherreinforcing material. The

. connecting member, however, does not need to have a shape whichcorresponds to the angular shape of the abutting hollow frame sections,as shown in FIG. 7.

The gap remaining between the connecting member and the inner wall ofthe hollow frame sections advantageously is filled with a hardeningsubstance 37 in which the connecting element is embedded.Advantageously, projections 38 or the like are also provided on theinner wall of the hollow frame sections so as to fix the fillersubstance 37 in the cavity.

According to FIG. 8, the connecting member 34 has a trough-shapedcross-section and is connected by additional screws 39 to the framesections 31 and 32. A metal or glass fibre strip running round the framemay be used for protection against any forces that may arise having atendency to cause the frame to fall apart.

The invention enables easy and rapid manufacture of frames to any sizeand any number of frames with exactly same shape and size fromindividual sections. The maintenance of the angles and length of sidesis achieved advantageously by applying the frame sections to a templatebefore assembly. The connecting member may be positioned at random inthe comers since they are held by the sealing substance. Advantageously,a template is used in which the positions of the angles or stops areadjustable.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the individual sections of themain moulding l are held together by a continuous clamping strip 40which secures the individual shaped sections in their compositeperimetric relationship so that such sections do not have to be heldtogether rigidly by elaborate connecting means and methods, such aswelding or glueing. At the same time, the clamping strip enables a paneof glass to be positioned in the frame. According to this embodiment,furthermore, the cover strip for the moulding is designed as a seal 41forming a unit with the clamping strip 40. For example, the outer layerof the clamping strip may consist of a known per se sealing material,such as rubber, resilient plastics or the like.

in this embodiment also, intermediate bars 17 are provided whichinterconnect the sidewalls of the moulding 1, in this case the wallsextending in the plane of the frame, the free ends defining the mouth ofthe trough thus pointing away from the glass pane and the cover stripsdesigned. as a seal are being mounted around the outer edge of themoulding.

Thisarrangement is again shown in FIG. 5 in section. As will also beseen in this drawing, the inner edge of the frame next adjacent the paneof glass has orifices or holes 42 which receive the glass holdingmembers 43 which may be secured in the moulding 1. These glass holdingmembers may take the form of leaf springs, one end of which extendsinwardly beyond the frame and is arranged parallel to the glass holdingstrips 44 on the frame. A pane of glass 45 is anchored rigidly in themoulding l with the aid of these resilient holding members. On the otherhand, rapid exchange of the pane of glass is also possible.

Frames according to the invention may be used for many purposes,particularly for holding a pane of glass such as, for example, inpicture frames, window frames or door frames. It may, however, also beused for window or doors as a shutter or sash frame with suitableprofiling of the moulding.

Although reference is herein made to the fact that the main part of theframe is a moulding, it should be understood that this term includesextrusion where the shape of the parts so admits. For example, in theseembodiments where the frame sides are built up from sections, thosesections could be made by extrusion where no transverse bars or likeimpedimenta to the extrusion process exist. Where such transversemembers are required, they may, of course, be affixed, eg by adhesives,after the extrusions have been made. Similarly, flat cover strips 2 maybe extruded, with or without longitudinal members 26.

What I claim is:

l. A frame for a substantially planar sheet comprising a hollowperimetric channel having parallel perimetrical sidewalls, a webconnecting said sidewalls, and an open side opposite said web, removablecover means engageable to close said channel open side, a plurality ofspaced, transverse partitions connecting said sidewalls, each partitionincluding a bore therethrough extending lengthwise of said channelsidewalls, a blind groove on the side of the partition opposite thechannel web extending transversely of the lengths of the channelsidewalls through the perimetrically inner sidewall, sheet edge backingmeans receivable in said groove, said perimetric channel memberincluding a plurality of channel sections, adjacent sections havingcomplemental abutting ends, perimetrically continuous reinforcing bandmeans extending through said hollow perimetric channel member andembracing the perimetrically inner sidewall for securing said channelsections in composite perimetric relationship, two of said channelsections having adjacent complemental ends in angular abutment, such twochannel sections each having partition means connecting the channelsidewalls and spaced from said angularly abutting ends for defining acavity between said partition means, a connecting member receivable insaid cavity and spanning the abutting ends of said angularly abuttingchannel sections, and hardened liquid adhesive interposed between saidconnecting member, said channel web and said channel sidewalls.

2. A frame for a substantially planar sheet comprising a hollowperimetric channel having parallel perimetrical sidewalls, a webconnecting said sidewalls, and an open side opposite said web, removablecover means engageable to close said channel open side, a plurality ofspaced, transverse partitions connecting said sidewalls, each partitionincluding a bore therethrough extending lengthwise of said channelsidewalls, a blind groove on the side of the partition opposite thechannel web extending transversely of the lengths of the channelsidewalls through the perimetrically inner sidewall, sheet edge backingmeans receivable in said groove, said perimetric channel memberincluding a plurality of channel sections, adjacent sections havingcomplemental abutting ends, continuous strip means embracing theperimetrically outer edge of the composite perimetric channel member forsecuring said channel sections in composite perimetric relationship, twoof said channel sections having adjacent complemental ends in angularabutment, such two channel sections each having partition meansconnecting the channel sidewalls and spaced from said angularly abuttingends for defining a cavity between said partition means, a connectingmember receivable in said cavity and spanning the abutting ends of saidangularly abutting channel sections, and hardened liquid adhesiveinterposed between said connecting member, said channel web and saidchannel sidewalls.

1. A frame for a substantially planar sheet comprising a hollowperimetric channel having parallel perimetrical sidewalls, a webconnecting said sidewalls, and an open side opposite said web, removablecover means engageable to close said channel open side, a plurality ofspaced, transverse partitions connecting said sidewalls, each partitionincluding a bore therethrough extending lengthwise of said channelsidewalls, a blind groove on the side of the partition opposite thechannel web extending transversely of the lengths of the channelsidewalls through the perimetrically inner sidewall, sheet edge backingmeans receivable in said groove, said perimetric channel memberincluding a plurality of channel sections, adjacent sections havingcomplemental abutting ends, perimetrically continuous reinforcing bandmeans extending through said hollow perimetric channel member andembracing the perimetrically inner sidewall for securing said channelsections in composite perimetric relationship, two of said channelsections having adjacent complemental ends in angular abutment, such twochannel sections each having partition means connecting the channelsidewalls and spaced from said angularly abutting ends for defining acavity between said partition means, a connecting member receivable insaid cavity and spanning the abutting ends of said angularly abuttingchannel sections, and hardened liquid adhesive interposed between saidconnecting member, said channel web and said channel sidewalls.
 2. Aframe for a substantially planar sheet comprising a hollow perimetricchannel having parallel perimetrical sidewalls, a web connecting saidsidewalls, and an open side opposite said web, removable cover meansengageable to close said channel open side, a plurality of spaced,transverse partitions connecting said sidewalls, each partitionincluding a bore therethrough extending lengthwise of said channelsidewalls, a blind groove on the side of the partition opposite thechannel web extending transversely of the lengths of the channelsidewalls through the perimetrically inner sidewall, sheet edge backingmeans receivable in said groove, said perimetric channel memberincluding a plurality of channel sections, adjacent sections havingcomplemental abutting ends, continuous strip means embracing theperimetrically outer edge of the composite perimetric channel member forsecuring said channel sections in composite perimetric relationship, twoof said channel sections having adjacent complemental ends in angularabutment, such two channel sections each having partition meansconnecting The channel sidewalls and spaced from said angularly abuttingends for defining a cavity between said partition means, a connectingmember receivable in said cavity and spanning the abutting ends of saidangularly abutting channel sections, and hardened liquid adhesiveinterposed between said connecting member, said channel web and saidchannel sidewalls.